The ISEV Annual Meeting is the premier scientific conference in the field of extracellular vesicles. It brings together the top researchers and scientists from around the world, showcasing cutting edge research in session rooms and cutting edge technology on the exhibits floor.
The 13th ISEV Annual Meeting was held between May 8-12, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia, with a theme of “Discover, Innovate and Understand”. It attracted over 1000 attendees from 54 countries. Coming to Australia for the first time, ISEV2024 covered all topics encompassing extracellular vesicles, from fundamentals to biological discovery, nanotechnology and platform technologies, as well as advances in clinical and translational research. In addition to attending expert educational and scientific sessions, delegates were able to explore Melbourne and beyond, including the spectacular arts scene, world-class sporting calendar, unique local wildlife, Indigenous Australian experiences, and renowned culinary delights.
Hugues Martin Master’s student in the Juncker Micro and Nanobioengineering Lab, McGill University, Canada
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your research interests?
I studied Biomedical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal because I wanted to use Physics and Mathematics to develop new technologies for health professionals. I was particularly interested by all of the different imaging techniques that could be used to study a disease, from MRI to super-resolution microscopy. I’m currently focused on ways to profile extracellular vesicles (EVs) using microscopy.
What first interested you in this field of research?
EVs are so complicated! The variability of cargo, functions and vesiculation pathways makes it particularly hard to get reliable data on them. Finding ways to make sense of that complexity is fascinating.
Can you briefly explain the research you presented at ISEV 2024?
Our lab developed size photometry and fluorescence imaging (SPFI), a platform that combines single EV label-free detection and sizing using interferometric scattering (iSCAT) with multiplexed protein expression profiling using fluorescence imaging. I showed that you can use this platform to assess surface cleanliness at the EV imaging range (40-200 nm) and optimize surface functionalization protocols for super-resolution imaging. I also measured protein expression of cell supernatant EVs on marker independent surfaces, which capture EVs without relying on affinity markers (like antibodies). While these surfaces don’t enrich for a specific protein, their physical properties impacted the measured protein expression. This means that we don’t necessarily get an accurate snapshot of the sample’s expression.
How will you continue to build on this research?
Continue making sense of EVs! To get the most accurate representation of the observed sample, I’m working on a marker independent surface to capture and profile single EVs from unpurified plasma. Our team is also trying to show that SPFI can identify EVs produced by different cells or different pathways in the cell from one sample.